Page 58 of Sweet Oblivion

“That’s it?”I finally ask, after taking the time to pull myself together.

“That’s it,” he echoes without hesitation.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” He must, right? “Or frigid?”

Why else would a woman my age choose to be a virgin?

“Why would I think you were stupid or frigid, Delaney?” He takes two steps, closing the distance between us, and I wish he wouldn’t. It’s so much harder to think when he’s this close. “We all make decisions for our own reasons.”

“I guess...”Part of me wants to run and hide. But the other part, the curious one, wants to know what he’s thinking.

So I ask.

“What are you thinking, Ryker?”

His gaze drops to my mouth, and I swear I see heat in his eyes when he lifts them back to mine. “That it makes sense.”

“Why?” I push as my stomach flips. “What about this makes sense?”

“You don’t like people,” he answers quickly, and I cock a brow. “Okay, you don’t like many people, and you let even less of them in.”

Well . . . That’s uncomfortably accurate.

“I let people in.”The argument is weak at best because it’s a lie.

I can count the people I’ve let in on one hand.

“I let you in,”I add.

“Did you?” he asks and takes another step closer. Slowly. Forcing me to tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. “Have you?”

“I’m trying,” I concede.

“Are you attracted to me, Lane?” His voice drops to an ungodly, sexy decibel, and heat pools in my belly as Ryker wraps a hand around the side of my neck, his thumb grazing my thrumming pulse.

He already knows the answer.

He can feel it.

“Just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean I’m attracted to you, Ryker.”I insist, softer now. Not a chance in hell all those words are signed right. But I tried.

His mouth curves slightly.

He knows I’m lying. I know I’m lying.

But I had to at least try and preserve a single shred of my dignity.

“Fine. Maybe just a little...” Shit. I forgot to sign and try to remember?—

Ryker covers my hands with his and shakes his head. “It’s not a bad thing, Lane. I’m attracted to you.”

I can’t even think with him this close... touching me like this... let alone comprehend what he just said.

I open my mouth to answer before clamping it shut again.

God, I feel like a fool. But am I a bigger fool if I stay quiet or if I admit the truth?

A lie of omission is still a lie.